"Jaws have collectively dropped at what you've just said," the BBC anchor as Rastani offered his opinions.

It wasn't long after Rastani appeared that two things started to be said about him on websites: a) he's an awful human being; b) he might be a fake, perhaps even a member of The Yes Men, a group of imposters who previously pulled one over on the BBC when a bogus Dow Chemical spokesman, who somewhat resembles Rastani, went on the air to accept blame for the Bhopal disaster..

"We've carried out detailed investigations and can't find any evidence to suggest that the interview with Alessio Rastani was a hoax. He is an independent market trader and one of a range of voices we've had on air to talk about the recession."

Rastani: "Heard of it before? Not quite sure why they're calling me that. I have no idea where that came from."

Lambert: "Because there's a video of you posing as a Dow Chemical spokesman."

Rastani: "What? A Dow Chemical spokesman? Have you seen this video? That can't be right. I've never spoken to Dow Chemical before in my life. Maybe it's a fake. Are you sure about this? Honestly, listen, I've no idea where that came from. That interview yesterday was one of the first ones I did live.

"I don't know why they think it's a hoax. No, I am a trader absolutely. I have trader friends who could back that up. One of my mentors is a bestselling author and trader. Everyone knows me."